Ancient History is a fascinating study of societies that have shaped our world today. On this page I'll put links to sites and resources for activities to enhance our understanding of these peoples and places.
Custom Search
Above is a custom search engine that we will use as we work on various projects in history this year.
Click here for a link to a fascinating way to see the world that we live in and study. Earth album
For our study of ancient Greece I have made a new wiki where each polis has it's own page. This is where we will spend much of our time during the projects you'll do as a polis and where you'll post your projects. Click the link below to get there. Greece Wiki
INDIA
Section 1 Paragraphs:
In a 3:1 one chunk paragraph, describe the geography of India. (possible commentary words/ideas: protected, unique, beneficial for growth)
In a 3:1 one chunk paragraph, discuss how the Harappan civilization is both sophisticated and mysterious. (use sophisticated and mysterious as your commentary for your topic sentence and then come up with synonyms to use for your concluding sentence. Make sure you have concrete details that address both the sophistication and the mystery.)
In a 3:1 one chunk paragraph, describe the Aryan civilization. (possible commentary words/ideas: advanced, noteworthy, influential, lasting)
1. Click on the two images and read about them. Then read the quote below and discuss the questions given, then, make a venn diagram comparing the two different gorgons and the way they are portrayed. ladle with Perseus chasing gorgon and mirror with Medusa's head "Medusa alone was mortal; for that reason Perseus was sent to fetch her head. For the Gorgons had heads twined about with serpents, and great tusks like swine's, and brazen hands, and golden wings, by which they flew. And most disastrously, anyone who looked upon them was turned to stone."
Discuss the characters and actions portrayed in the art. What moment in the story of Perseus and Medusa has the artist depicted and why? When looking at the bronze mirror, discuss why a Gorgon face would grace the backside of a mirror. How has the artist depicted the Gorgon in that work of art? How is it different from the scene on the cup?
2. Click on the link and study the picture. Read the description below the picture and try to notice the details of the characters in the scene. Then
make a list of the components of each creature depicted (i.e. wings, heads, horns, hooves, etc.). Discuss what the relationship between these two creatures might be, as well as their connection to the hero Bellerophon, based on the way the artist composed the scene. Write a brief description of the relationships you infer between the three. Bellerophon fighting the Chimaira
3. Click on the link to head of Julia Titi and read the descriptions given. Then, write out a description of Julia, including details that would answer the following questions: identify the distinguishing features of the portrait and discuss why the artist may have included them. What does the hairstyle tell us about her? Is she old or young, sad or happy? What did the artist want us to know about her?
4. Click on the link below and read the description below the picture. Look carefully at the picture to try to find the details described. mosaic floor with boxing scene
Then, write a script for the dialogue in the scene. Use your imagination to write a scene to follow the one depicted in the artwork.
5. Look at the picture and read the description of the griffen devouring an arimasp.
Then discuss what "title," "action," "simile," and "description" mean when used in poetry. Write a short poem about the artwork including phrases about the action, at least one similie, phrases using sensory details to describe, and give it a title.
6. Look carefully at the jar and its details on the link below. Then do a detail sketch of a detail on the pitcher, Later, we'll have the class view the drawings to determine where in the artwork each detail can be found. pitcher with waterbirds, dogs and more
7. After looking carefully at both images of the water jar try to identify what is happening in the scene where Herakles battles the Lernaean Hydra, a fierce, nine-headed monster. Write down the "who, what, where, when, and why" of the scene as if you are a reporter getting ready to write an article about the event.
EGYPT
This is an great website with some great information and pictures about Ancient Egypt and today. Check it out. Egypt
The British Museum has an excellent Egypt section Ancient Egypt
MESOPOTAMIA
The "stele" that Hammurabi's Code was found on is on display in the Louvre in France. Click on the link below to see it. From there you can see other ancient Mesopotamian displays they have there. Hammurabi's Code
The University of Chicago Oriental Institute has a fascinating site about Ancient Mesopotamia
including pictures of artifacts and descriptions from their museum. Click on the link above and then go to the "Daily Life" section. Here, browse through pictures and descriptions of some of the artifacts and what they teach us. (towards the bottom of the first daily life page is a link to "browse daily life images." Click on that and then on the images that come up. Most (or all ) of the images have a tab for "visual exploration." When you click on that you'll see about three discussion questions. For one of the artifacts, write down your answers to these questions (don't forget to put the name of the artifact!) Try to pick an artifact that not everyone else will do- it will make for a more interesting discussion in class.
Above is a custom search engine that we will use as we work on various projects in history this year.
Click here for a link to a fascinating way to see the world that we live in and study. Earth album
Research Paper
citiations help
bibliography formats
research source search engines and citation help
GREECE
For our study of ancient Greece I have made a new wiki where each polis has it's own page. This is where we will spend much of our time during the projects you'll do as a polis and where you'll post your projects. Click the link below to get there.Greece Wiki
INDIA
Section 1 Paragraphs:In a 3:1 one chunk paragraph, describe the geography of India. (possible commentary words/ideas: protected, unique, beneficial for growth)
In a 3:1 one chunk paragraph, discuss how the Harappan civilization is both sophisticated and mysterious. (use sophisticated and mysterious as your commentary for your topic sentence and then come up with synonyms to use for your concluding sentence. Make sure you have concrete details that address both the sophistication and the mystery.)
In a 3:1 one chunk paragraph, describe the Aryan civilization. (possible commentary words/ideas: advanced, noteworthy, influential, lasting)
Section 2 research:
www.mrdowling.com/612-caste.html
http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_caste.asp
www.edhelper.com/readingcomprehension42_58.html
http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch618/india/class_caste.html
http://teachers.eusd.k12.ca.us/mguerena/castewebquest/index.htm
http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/spring98/india.htm
http://adaniel.tripod.com/castes.htm
1. How did the caste originate in Aryan society?
2. How did the cast grow, change or develop in Aryan society?
3. What role did the caste play in the social order or Aryan society?
4. What role does the caste play in the economic structure of Aryan society?
5. Does the caste still exist today?
THE GETTY VILLA
1. Click on the two images and read about them. Then read the quote below and discuss the questions given, then, make a venn diagram comparing the two different gorgons and the way they are portrayed.ladle with Perseus chasing gorgon and mirror with Medusa's head
"Medusa alone was mortal; for that reason Perseus was sent to fetch her head. For the Gorgons had heads twined about with serpents, and great tusks like swine's, and brazen hands, and golden wings, by which they flew. And most disastrously, anyone who looked upon them was turned to stone."
Discuss the characters and actions portrayed in the art. What moment in the story of Perseus and Medusa has the artist depicted and why? When looking at the bronze mirror, discuss why a Gorgon face would grace the backside of a mirror. How has the artist depicted the Gorgon in that work of art? How is it different from the scene on the cup?
2. Click on the link and study the picture. Read the description below the picture and try to notice the details of the characters in the scene. Then
make a list of the components of each creature depicted (i.e. wings, heads, horns, hooves, etc.). Discuss what the relationship between these two creatures might be, as well as their connection to the hero Bellerophon, based on the way the artist composed the scene. Write a brief description of the relationships you infer between the three.
Bellerophon fighting the Chimaira
3. Click on the link to head of Julia Titi and read the descriptions given. Then, write out a description of Julia, including details that would answer the following questions: identify the distinguishing features of the portrait and discuss why the artist may have included them. What does the hairstyle tell us about her? Is she old or young, sad or happy? What did the artist want us to know about her?
4. Click on the link below and read the description below the picture. Look carefully at the picture to try to find the details described.
mosaic floor with boxing scene
Then, write a script for the dialogue in the scene. Use your imagination to write a scene to follow the one depicted in the artwork.
5. Look at the picture and read the description of the griffen devouring an arimasp.
Then discuss what "title," "action," "simile," and "description" mean when used in poetry. Write a short poem about the artwork including phrases about the action, at least one similie, phrases using sensory details to describe, and give it a title.
6. Look carefully at the jar and its details on the link below. Then do a detail sketch of a detail on the pitcher, Later, we'll have the class view the drawings to determine where in the artwork each detail can be found.
pitcher with waterbirds, dogs and more
7. After looking carefully at both images of the water jar try to identify what is happening in the scene where Herakles battles the Lernaean Hydra, a fierce, nine-headed monster. Write down the "who, what, where, when, and why" of the scene as if you are a reporter getting ready to write an article about the event.
EGYPT
This is an great website with some great information and pictures about Ancient Egypt and today. Check it out. EgyptThe British Museum has an excellent Egypt section Ancient Egypt
MESOPOTAMIA
The "stele" that Hammurabi's Code was found on is on display in the Louvre in France. Click on the link below to see it. From there you can see other ancient Mesopotamian displays they have there.Hammurabi's Code
British Museum
The University of Chicago Oriental Institute has a fascinating site about Ancient Mesopotamia
including pictures of artifacts and descriptions from their museum. Click on the link above and then go to the "Daily Life" section. Here, browse through pictures and descriptions of some of the artifacts and what they teach us. (towards the bottom of the first daily life page is a link to "browse daily life images." Click on that and then on the images that come up. Most (or all ) of the images have a tab for "visual exploration." When you click on that you'll see about three discussion questions. For one of the artifacts, write down your answers to these questions (don't forget to put the name of the artifact!) Try to pick an artifact that not everyone else will do- it will make for a more interesting discussion in class.